Agenda item

The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager presented the Newcastle Economic Development Strategy: Year Three Review and Year Four Action Plan.

In May 2012 the Borough Council approved a five year Economic Development Strategy (2012-2017) in order to focus its efforts for stimulating growth and bringing jobs to the Borough.  An annual action plan was provided each year to show what actions were being taken to take this forward.  These actions were grouped under the following four headings:-

·      Promoting enterprise and supporting local businesses grow

·      Improving the skills of the local workforce

·      Marketing and development

·      Strengthening the vitality and appeal of the town centres

The Committee was opened up for comment on each action.

Promoting enterprise and supporting local business grow

Successfully delivered the Newcastle ‘Business Boost’ competition, including new sponsors.  It was proposed planning for Business Boost 2015 to begin April 2015.  The amount of sponsorship would determine whether it would go ahead and in what format.  Explore further opportunities for town centre business awards through Business Boost competition 2015.  There was a need to identify the right mentor of certain businesses.  In taking the initiative forward there needs to be a more robust check and level of support from the mentors.

It was asked for a crib sheet to be distributed to Members to enable the correct information/point of contact to be passed on to businesses to ensure they could access business support/advice.

The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager advised that any Officer in their team would be able to assist but initially it would be the Business Development Officer.  Additionally there was the direct line at North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.

Work was to continue with the Local Enterprise Partnership and Staffordshire Economic Development Officers Group to secure external investment in the Borough.  It was agreed that the Regeneration and Economic Development Manager provide Members with a copy of the European Regional Development Funding Update 2014-2020.

Improving the skills of the local workforce

Work to continue with partners to further develop the employment and skills across the Borough and to explore opportunities for a consortia approach through the Newcastle Employment and Skills group to secure additional funding and resource for the area.

It was proposed to work with Talent Match to identify alternative routes, such as mentoring community buddies and creative routes such as digital media.  A full time Newcastle Co-ordinator was appointed January 2015.

It was asked what progress had been made in encouraging employers to provide more work place training?

The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager advised that there was an issue of the project not materializing locally with the Education Trust.  Presently there was a locality project in place to continue to work with partners to further develop the employment and skills across the Borough and to explore opportunities for a consortia approach through the Newcastle Employment and Skills group to secure additional funding and resource for the area

A Member recommended that this project be actively pursued by Newcastle Borough Council.

Marketing and Development

Continued to work with the Make It inward investment team to attract prospective investors and employers to the area and secure more jobs including the publication of new ‘North Staffordshire Development Sites’ brochure specifically aimed to publicise investment opportunities in Stoke and Newcastle.

It was proposed to secure agreement with Henry Davidson Developments for the development of the Ryecroft site which met the expectations of the two Councils with regard to occupier content, scheme design and financial return and, if so, to proceed towards completion of a formal Development Agreement.

It was asked if Newcastle Borough Council could ensure to include public conveniences as part of the development plans.

The Executive Director of Regeneration and Development advised that this would be difficult to secure but pointed out the likely inclusion of restaurants and cafes, which would include such facilities.

It was asked to what extent would the Keele Master Plan include the infrastructure?

A Member advised that the Borough Council needs to ensure, through links with the website, that tourism played an important part.

Strengthening the vitality and appeal of the town centres

Supported the Newcastle TCP and other partners to build on previous successful events programmes such as Lymelight Festival, The Homecoming, Paint the Town Pink and the Christmas lights switch on.

The Executive Director for Regeneration and Development Services pointed out that, apart from procuring external advice to carry out Keele Options appraisal and master planning study, there had been little direct cost to the Borough Council in delivering a wide programme of activities set out within the Strategy (reflecting the Council’s enabling role).

RESOLVED:-

(a)   That a crib sheet be forwarded to Members showing the correct procedures to follow for advice and support in relation to their business.

(b)   That Members are provided with a copy of the European Regional Development Funding Update 2014 – 2020.

(c)    The Newcastle Borough Council continue to work with partners to further develop the employment and skills across the Borough.

(d)   That tourism is encouraged through links with the Borough Council’s web site.